The Fisherman's Friends
One and All
(Island)
★★★★ (out of five)
THANK heavens folk music is not image driven in the same way as some genres.
If it was, then groups such as The Fisherman’s Friends from Port Isaac in Cornwall would never get a look in — let alone earn a gold disc as they did for their debut album.
Their new album, One and All will be released on August 19 on Island Records. Despite the release the group’s future is still undecided following the tragic death of member Trevor Grills in February.
Trevor and 45-year-old promoter Paul McMullen were loading in for a show in Guildford when they were struck by a 4.5 tonne stage door. Paul died at the scene and Trevor passed away two days later.
Mary Anne, a single from the album will also be available from August 19 and the video of the song, featuring Trevor on lead vocal is already on YouTube with over 14,000 hits.
The album was due to be released in March but was put back following the tragedy. However, with the blessing of Trevor’s widow and sons they knew he would have wanted the band to carry on, hence the August release. Live shows though are not on the agenda for this year.
Guest instrumentalists on the album include John McCusker on fiddle, the immaculate Mike McGoldrick on uilleann pipes, flutes and whistles, Andy Cutting on melodeon and Leo Abraham on guitars.
However, the instruments are simply dressing because the whole basis of the group is the sheer joy of 10 vocalists who are best friends enjoying the pleasure of singing together.
Mary Anne has a happy infectious quality that stays in your head so I’m not surprised it was chosen as the single even before the accident.
I love this album. I love the simplicity, sincerity and power of the songs sung by a great group of men who love to sing and the best tribute they could pay to their late colleagues Trevor and Paul would be to carry on making great music. Watch out for this smashing album.
One and All by The Fisherman's Friends is released on Monday (August 26)
